Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-10
DUTY.

you precisely 81 uNel "
Mr.. Westbrook waved his glove
backward to his wife as he ran down
the steps and walked briskly TO the
street corner. there to await the down.
town car.
Mrs. Westbrook stood on the steps
for minute or two. looking bright
and trim in her PLAIN gingham morn
ing dress, with Its futed rufies, and
the bow OF blue ribbon at the throat
while her white apron looked as fresh
as if it had just come from the laun-
dry.
Just opposite, an elegant little coupe
waited at the door of brown stone
mansion-and presently a superbly
dressed lady came out, dressed in
furs, satins and velvets-Mrs. Draine,
by name-and entered it.
"She is going 10 the morning con-
cert at Tambusini's,' thought Mrs.
Westbrook, as she watched the equip
age drive away. 'Ah, what slavery
Is fashionable lifer
Mr.. Westbrook, however, thought
differently, as the lady in question
whirled past him, with gracious in
clination of her head, and smile that
faded almost instantly away.
Il wish Katie's tastes ran little
more in that channel, said he to him.
self. Katie Is really getting TO oe a
mere domestic machine
While he stood there, waiting for
the dilatory car, two little children
ran down the street-a boy and girl,
Willie and Efie Draine. Mr.. West
brook knew them by sight.
They we're magni6cently attired in
frills, flounces and rich embroidery,
but they look blue and cold, neverthe-
less.
Children, said Mr.. Westbrook,
where are you going? Where IS your
nurse?
bridget has gone down in the
kitchen to talk with her beau, said
Efie, in shrill defiant tone.
Does your mother allow vou to go
out so, without anything on your
heads?' asked Mr.. Westbrook.
Mother don't care Willie made
answer. Mother says, $50 way and
don't bother me.
We'll, never mind that, said Mr..
estbrook, not altogether satisfied
with the testimony he was ellcitlng.
go back home at oncen
Il won't, you ugly old mani
retorted Efie.
Mind your own business added
Willie. we'll go where we please. "
Just then the car came along and
Mr.. Westbrook, already delayed,
sprang on the back platform and dis
missed all thought of the young rebels
from his mind.
Katie, said he, that night, when
he had returned from business, why
is it that you do not go out little
more, like your neighboT, Mrs
Drame?'
Mrs. Westbrook laughed. She was
undressing her youngest child, a
chubby little creature, with blue eyes
and hair curling in tiny rings close to
its year-old head.
because, said she, 4 can't do two
things at once
How do you mean two things al
once? | don't understand?
Perhaps / had better have said hal
a Dozen said Mrs. Westbrook. Mrs
Draine leaves her children to the carr
of servants. Mrs. Draine sends then
from her, when they come with wist
full looks and piteous, tear-stainet
faces. She says she has not time t.
do nurses work. Oh, CHARLES, d,
you suppose my child could ever ap
peal to me in vain?
There is some truth and common
sense in her view of the matter, sai
Mr.. Westbrook, thoughtfully strok
ing his beard. "A mother should nc
allow herself to be narrowed dow
into channel of mere househol
drudgery. She needs contact with th
outside world, to freshen up he ides
to
sAnd who is to take care of he
children in the meantime? interupte
Mrs. Westbrook. rather more sharpl
than her usual went My dear Cha
lie, theory is very good, but practi'
is better When God made me
mother He meant that should if ar
assume all Of mothers dutles--ar
il others conhicted with them to ask n
own heart which should be first ar
holiest.
Mr.. Westbrook was silent. He hs
reserve Of arguments in his min
but somehow the sight Of Katie, 81
ting there among her little ones, Iii
"a dove surrounded by her young, d
armed bis mantal sword.
We'll, wen, said he, have II yo
own way. Only Mrs. Draine, no mo
cultivated or intelligent than you
self, has risen to the rank OF lead
Of society. and belongs to all the liter
~ associations, all the elegant soc
gatherings in town
Yes, said Katie, 4 admit all th
But Mr.. Draine is merchant, wi
y I w q q